The professional baseball season is in full swing (bad pun!), and that signals the start of youth & bar leagues. Baseball involves a lot of rotational movements, especially through the trunk (from your shoulders to your hips). The exercises below are good for building rotational strength and stability. Do them slowly and deliberately to avoid injury. Remember: if you or your child have been hibernating for the last few months, it’s best to start light until your body remembers what exercise feels like.
Note: These exercises are also good for you golfers out there.
Alternating lunges with a trunk twist exercise:
Cable twist exercise:
Remember to keep your core tight for both of these exercises. The old adage “practice like you play” doesn’t apply here, so go slowly with the rotations. We know you aren’t going to swing a bat or golf club slowly, but rotating slowly is going to build the strength you need to swing quickly.
“Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness.”
-Earl of Derby
Need a little further instruction on these exercises or what else to do to train for a sport (or recover from a sports injury) let us know, we’re here to help!
What exercises do you like to do to prep for baseball, softball, golf, or any other seasonal sport?
By Jordan Meyer, Personal Trainer, Elite Sports Club-North Shore